Student funding applications delays

We are aware, as reported recently in the media, some students are facing problems and delays with funding applications to Student Finance England (SFE). So we have prepared this information to help you.

If you have not already applied for student funding go to www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.

You can apply online to SFE from here or download the PN1 application form to send to SFE if you are a new student. If you are a returning student and starting the next year of your course you should use the PR1 form and contact either SFE or your local authority (whichever you applied to last year). If you completed a course in 2009 and are starting a new one you should apply to SFE on the PN1 form as a ‘new’ student.

Frequently asked questions

I have applied for, but not yet been informed that I am getting, the tuition fee loan – can I still enrol at University? Will I have to pay my fees myself before I get the fee loan?

Yes, you can enrol. SFE will notify the University’s Finance Department directly about your fee status. When you do receive notification about your fee loan you don’t need to show Finance, unless they specifically ask to see it. You will not have to pay fees ‘up front’; SFE will pay your fees directly to the University.

I have booked a place in University accommodation. Can I move in if I have not yet had notification of my student funding?

Yes, you can move in. Let the Finance Department know that you are still waiting for your funding and arrange to pay your accommodation fee when you receive it.

I have received a notification that I will receive the fee loan and a maintenance loan. I expected to receive a maintenance grant as well, and provided all the information about my parents/partners income – should I do anything?

To make sure that students have some money at the start of the academic year, SFE are initially processing the basic funding – the tuition fee loan and 72% of the maximum maintenance loan (the amount that doesn’t depend on parents/partners income). The annual amounts of the 72% loan are £3564 (not living with parents whilst studying) or £2763 (living with your parents) – is this what you have been assessed for so far? If you have provided all the information about your parents/partners income you should be automatically fully assessed in a few weeks and receive another notification from SFE.

I think I am eligible for the University Bursary but haven’t heard anything – what should I do?

When you apply for your student funding to SFE, the information you provide is used to assess you for a Bursary so long as you gave ‘consent to share’ this information with the University. As the Bursary depends on parents/partners income, you will be assessed when your loan and grant funding has been fully assessed. You will receive a letter from the University if you are eligible for the Bursary.

When will I receive the first payment of my maintenance loan?

SFE will pay the first instalment into your bank account 3-5 days after you enrol at University. The University needs to confirm that you have enrolled before SFE will make a payment. This is done automatically by the University.

When will I receive the first payment of the University Bursary?

Bursary payments are made at the end of each academic term into your bank account. The first payment will be 16 December.

My circumstances have changed since I applied for my funding – what should I do?

You should contact SFE to let them know and send them a change of circumstances form (CO1). This can be downloaded from the ‘forms and guides’ section at the government web address above.

I want to check on the progress of my funding application with SFE – how can I do this?

You can check your on-line account via the SFE website or telephone 0845 300 50 90. See the ‘Contact Student Finance England’ section at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance . We understand that you may have had difficulty getting through to this number. It may be useful to try outside of usual office times eg after 6.00pm or on a Saturday.

I have applied for a Childcare Grant – how do I make sure I get this?

SFE assess this grant separately to your living costs loan and grant. On the CCG1 form you should give an estimate of how much your childcare will be to make an initial assessment. SFE will write to your childcare provider for them to confirm that you will be using their services. The initial payment of your Childcare Grant will be for 2 weeks childcare costs. You will need to submit a CCG2 form with evidence of your actual childcare costs, for example receipts, when you have started using the childcare. To check the progress of your Childcare Grant application, call the above number and ask to speak to the Specialist Grant Team at SFE.

What can I do if I start University with no funding for living costs?

You may need to speak to those people who will be expecting money from you such as you landlord and childcare provider, and seek financial support from your family.

The University’s Student Services Department may be able to give you an Emergency Loan to help tide you over until you get your funding. These are small amounts to help with basic living costs – you repay when your funding comes through. Contact Student Services on level 1 of the Student Centre (or telephone 01642 342277) to make an appointment. Contact Student Services early on the day during which you want to come in.

I am starting a part-time undergraduate (HNC/D, foundation Degree, Bachelors Degree) course – how do I apply for the fee grant?

Go to www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance to download the PTG1 form and information booklet (in the forms and guides’ section). You cannot apply until you have been on your course for at least two weeks. If the course is run by, and the fees are set and collected by the University, the University’s Finance Department needs to complete section 6 of the PTG1 form. If the course is run by, and the fees are set and collected by the partnership college that you are attending, then your college needs to collect section 6 of the PTG1 form. The deadline for applications is the end of February but apply as soon as possible.

I am starting a part-time teacher training course – what funding do I apply for?

Part-time courses in Initial Teacher Training are funded through the full-time funding system. How much you get in loans and grant depends on the number of hours involved in your course. You apply via the PN1 form from the above website. See the section ‘Initial Teacher Training: what financial help can you get?’

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